Galaxy Insider Player Ratings: Marcelo Sarvas

The LA Galaxy season may be over, but LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano will spend the next few weeks offering an evaluation of each member of the squad. VIEW CALENDAR

The LA Galaxy Player Ratings will begin with players who appeared in the least number of games this season starting with goalkeeper Brian Rowe and concluding with Sean Franklin who played in all 34 of the club’s regular season games. There will also be an evaluation of head coach and general manager Bruce Arena and his moves at the conclusion of the list.

We will have two to three evaluations per day and focus on what each player did well, what they need to improve on ahead of next season as well as a select thought from the player on their performance and a rating from myself out of four stars.

HIGHLIGHTS: During David Beckham’s departures due to Olympic commitments or injury, Sarvas proved to be a worthy understudy as he performed incredibly well with his compatriot—and close friend—Juninho beside him in the center of midfield. The two Brazilians formed a partnership that provided considerable problems for opposing midfields as their swift passing style provided an added dimension to LA’s attack. But Sarvas’ finest performance in a Galaxy uniform came during the first half of LA’s international friendly against Tottenham Hotspur. The Brazilian bossed the midfield during his stint on the field, leading Tottenham head coach Andre Villas Boas to laud him as the finest player on the field that day. As postseason began, Sarvas slid seamlessly in and out of LA’s starting lineup as needed, starting two of his six appearances in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

LOWLIGHTS: Sarvas may have developed into a regular member of the Galaxy rotation, but the Brazilian underwent the traditional early season struggles for an international player. In LA’s first 16 regular season games, Sarvas was an unused substitute or unavailable in seven of those matches.

HIS THOUGHTS: “The season was great; everything that we did in the season came through during MLS Cup. For me personally, it was a good year because I showed myself and my abilities. I was able to get games and I earned a spot on this team. It was a fantastic year.

RATING: THREE STARS
In his first season with the Galaxy, Sarvas gave the Galaxy a taste of the talent that could make him a staple with the club in the coming years. Particularly adept at sending probing passes forward, Sarvas also displayed the necessary grit that has made him into a valuable two-way midfielder. Sarvas is poised to be the player that capitalizes the most from the departure of Beckham as he was able to repeatedly step in and form a lasting midfield partnership with Juninho. If Beckham and Juninho are both gone in 2013, expect Sarvas to be the first player asked to fill the vacated spots in the midfield.